VD4 CS/CS1

One breaker, full control, zero transient, CAPEX efficient solution for better power quality.

Indoor vacuum circuit breaker for capacitor banks

 

VD4-CS and VD4-CS1 are the solutions based on new vacuum interrupter technology and an innovative actuation system up to 38 kV, 1250 A, 31.5 kA and with noise-free performance, to support your business needs in reactive power compensation. 

The VD4-CS family circuit breakers offer up to 20,000 overhaul-free operations and up to 10,000 back-to-back capacitor bank switching operations. These operations are performed with extremely low probability of re-strike and transients minimization in capacitor bank switching. Additionally, with VD4-CS1 real time power factor compensation and charged capacitor bank switching are allowed. 

VD4-CS offers safe and reliable operations on discharged capacitor banks:

  • Inrush minimization: High accuracy and closed loop controlled switching technology. 
  • Cost and space savings: Eliminates the need for inrush limiting reactors and resistances, leading to significant cost and space savings. 
  • Reduced maintenance costs: Lowers the total cost of capacitor bank operation by eliminating downtime for breaker overhaul and extending lifespan with predictive health indication. 
  • Global support: Fast and reliable support is available thanks to ABB’s global footprint. 
  • Fastest replacement: Roll on floor drawout solution, available in withdrawable version for UniGear ZS3.2 and Powerbloc. 
  • Plug and play solution: Easy installation and no need for external relays to synchronize with the grid. 

 

 

VD4-CS1 offers safe, reliable and relentless operations on capacitor banks independently of their charge status. Additionally to the VD4-CS features, the VD4-CS1 offers:

  • Continuous operations: High resolution and continuous timing adaptation allow transient minimized capacitor bank connection without waiting any discharging time. 
  • Safe operations: Specific logics for fast reclosing function that can be customized. 
  • Space savings: Fast discharge devices for capacitor banks can be avoided. 
  • CAPEX efficient solution: VD4-CS1 can be integrated with inverters, Statcoms and SVCs for continuous power factor correction and grid regulation, allowing the reduction of the size of these expensive power electronics devices.

 

 

 

 

Product scope

 

 

 

 

VD4-CS 

 

 

VD4-CS1 

 

 

Rated voltage 

 

 

up to 38 kV 

 

 

up to 38 kV 

 

 

Rated current

 

 

up to 1,250 A 

 

 

up to 1,250 A
 

 

 

Rated short circuit current

 

 

up to 31.5 kA 

 

 

up to 31.5 kA 

 

 

Technology 

 

 

Vacuum 

 

 

Vacuum 

 

 

Operating mechanism 

 

 

Servomotors with synchronization 

 

 

Servomotors with synchronization 

 

 

 

Mechanical operations 

 

 

 

20,000 overhaul-free operations and up to 10,000 back-to-back capacitor bank switching operations 

 

 

20,000 overhaul-free operations and up to 10,000 back-to-back capacitor bank switching operations 

 
Transient - free closing operations  Only on fully discharged capacitor banks Anytime (independently by the charge of the capacitor bank)

 

Monitoring & Diagnostic

 

 

Yes 

 

 

No

 

 

Standards 

 

 

IEC 

 

 

IEC 

 

 

Applications

 

 

Utilities, Renewables, Energy demanding industries (green steel)

 

 

Utilities, Renewables, Energy demanding industries (green steel), Power quality applications

 

Related offering

Primary vacuum circuit breakers

Ensuring grid integrity for primary distribution, Primary Vacuum Circuit Breakers safely interrupt power flow during major anomalies (like short circuits or overcurrents) and quickly restore service, guaranteeing continuous power for critical users.

Primary protection relays

Critical for grid safety and reliability, Primary Protection Relays continuously monitor the system to recognize abnormal conditions and instantly initiate corrective actions, preventing faults from spreading across the network.

Switch Disconnectors

Highly adaptable for secondary distribution networks, Switch Disconnectors reliably carry, interrupt, and make rated load current, offering both air-insulated and gas-insulated options suitable for various indoor operations.

UniGear Portfolio

Air-insulated switchgear main product line for high demanding applications in primary power distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

The VD4-CS is designed for capacitor banks, providing noise-free power quality through safe and reliable switching. It supports reactive power compensation needs with servomotor actuation and controlled switching.

The VD4-CS uses high accuracy in controlled switching technology to eliminate inrush currents. This feature helps in reducing the need for inrush limiting reactors and resistances, leading to significant cost and space savings.

The VD4-CS offers several benefits, including: 

  • Inrush Elimination: High accuracy in controlled switching technology. 
  • Cost and Space Savings: Eliminates the need for additional components.
  • Reduced Maintenance Costs: Lowers the total cost of capacitor bank operation by eliminating downtime for breaker overhaul and extending lifespan with predictive health indication.
  • Global Support: Fast and reliable support thanks to ABB’s global footprint.

The VD4-CS has the following specifications:

  • Voltage: Up to 38 kV
  • Current: Up to 1250 A
  • Breaking Capacity: Up to 31.5 kA
  • Operations:  20,000 overhaul-free and noise-free operations; 10,000 back-to-back capacitor bank switching operations

The VD4-CS reduces the total cost of capacitor bank operation by eliminating downtime for breaker overhaul and extending the lifespan of the breaker. It also saves up to 20% by using the same ratings and interfaces as existing medium voltage substations, thanks to its optimized footprint equivalent to standard distribution breakers.

The main difference between VD4-CS and VD4-CS1 is that VD4-CS can operate with inrush minimization only on fully discharged capacitor bank, so you have to wait at least 5 minutes before close a capacitor bank after you opened it; the VD4-CS1 can operate a capacitor bank with inrush minimization every time independently by the status of charge of the capacitor bank, it can perform closing or opening operations in sequence with a waiting time of 15s every 4 consecutive.

The VD4-CS1 high performance in capacitor bank switching is specifically designed for applications in which the power factor correction shall follow the active power generation or absorption profile continuously.

Typical applications are renewable power plants and energy consuming industry (as green steel plants), grid regulations are becoming more restrictive about the reactive power compensation absorption and the contribution to grid stability. The VD4-CS1 can be integrated with the actual solutions that use power electronics to have a more CAPEX efficient plant design.